Red Dot now offers Hot Air Ballooning in the Cultural Triangle and in Galle. Hot Air Ballooning is a rewarding experience made even better with the warm and friendly welcome that you receive from villagers when the balloon finally lands. Soar high above untouched wilderness, rock temples and ancient ruins in the Cultural Triangle or the scenic Galle coast, inland waterways, and the magnificient 17th century Dutch Fort. The Cultural Triangle trip starts off at Kandalama to Dambulla. In Galle the flights depart about 15kms inland and rises to about 2,000ft – 3,000ft providing panoramic views. A typical trip would start at dawn and last for approximately one hour – depending on the prevailing winds. The exact route of your flight cannot be predicted as this is dependent on the prevailing winds. Red Dot has preferential rates with Adventure Centre Asia, the leading balloon operator in the island, and ballooning trips are now offered daily throughout the season from November to April when the winds are light and the sky at its bluest.

Your hot air balloon adventure lasts approx 3 to 4 hours, starting with the preparation and inflation of the balloon, briefing, takeoff, flight (approx 1 hour), landing/retrieval and the return by van. The take-off is in the morning soon after dawn. The exact time of you will be picked-up will confirmed when you make your booking. However, assuming you are staying in Galle and sunrise is around 6.30am then you can expect to leave the hotel around 5.30am. Hot air ballooning starts about 15 km inland from the historic city of Galle in the south and your path depends on the direction of the wind. A support vehicle will follow the flight.

The total price is approximately GBP £120 or Euros170 per person (based on 2007/8 rates and exchange rates). This includes hotel transfers, a champagne breakfast and full insurance cover. Children under 12 gain about one third discount. The maximum capacity of the balloon is 16 people. A full refund is offered if the flight has to be cancelled due to poor weather or technical reasons. Special luxury packages are available for special events, even weddings.

The third Sri Lanka Balloon Festival was held in April 2008, organized by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau in association with the Ceylon Airship and Balloon Club. This event attracted many participants from Europe and Asia who were also treated to an exclusive week-long tour of the island. There were six days of great ballooning in near perfect weather with plenty of interesting landing places. Dates for the next festival, in 2010, have not yet been released. For more information, Click Here

Adventure Centre Asia, with a wealth of professional experience in the field having operated throughout the Asia region, has an Airline Operators Certificate (AOC) and have full approval to operate in Sri Lanka from the Defence Ministry and the Sri Lanka Air Force. Adventure Centre Asia counts three years of experience operating in Sri Lanka with a 100% safety record and uses an international pilot with over 2000 hours of professional flying experience.

Adventure Centre Asia (www.ad-asia.com) - Our balloon partner’s website with detailed information on ballooning, including a useful FAQ’s section. Booking with Red Dot will not cost you more and gives you the advantage of EU-approved Booking Conditions.

Ceylon Airship & Balloon Club (www.srilankaballoons.com) - The website is the homepage for the Sri Lanka Balloon Festival. It contains a report on the 2008 festival, including photos, as well as information about future events. Enthusiasts can also ask for a DVD of the latest event.